Possess a deep knowledge of all the theoretical-scientific aspects of mathematics and of the other basic sciences and be able to utilise this knowledge to interpret and describe complex engineering problems or problems demanding an interdisciplinary approach;

Possess a deep knowledge of the theoretical-scientific aspects of engineering, both in general and in depth, as it regards computer engineering in which framework they are able to identify, formulate and solve complex problems or problems demanding an interdisciplinary approach using also innovative methods;

Be able to design, program, plan and manage complex and/or innovative systems, processes and services;

Be able to design and manage extremely complex experiments;

Possess field and cross-field knowledge;

Know about business management (corporate culture) and professional ethics;

Be fluent in at least one EU language beside Italian, including subject-matter lexicons.

Admission to the second-level degree courses requires the possession of educational qualifications anyhow proving a good command of the general scientific methods and contents of the basic sciences and of the engineering disciplines that are introductory to the characterising ones, envisaged by the regulations of the class of second-cycle degree.
The second-cycle degree courses of this class have to end with a significant design activity closing with an essay proving a good command of these subjects, the ability to operate autonomously and good communication skills.
The main employment prospects for the second-cycle degree of this class are in the field of innovation and development of production, advanced design, planning and programming, management of complex systems as free lance professionals, in manufacturing companies or services and in public administration boards. These second-cycle graduates will be able to find a job in information technology companies working in the field of hardware and software production; automation and robotics companies; companies working in the field information technology systems and computer networks; service companies; information technology services for public administration.
Universities organise training periods and internships in agreement with public and private agencies.

Course specific objectives and description of the learning path

The second-cycle degree course in Computer Engineering is basically aimed at training engineers able to work in the fields of design, engineering, development, operation and management of computer applications and plants, of information processing systems and complex information systems. The second-cycle graduate in engineering can work in the field of industrial production as well as in the field of services to the citizen and to businesses.
The training path envisages a first year characterised by the inclusion of compulsory modules in the field of computer architecture, system programming, database technologies, software engineering, automatics and technologies and web-based services. Compulsory training is completed by a module dealing with information systems’ security delivered during the second year.
The student characterises and achieves his own training thanks to a series of modules that allow him to achieve a specialisation in some fields such as: software applications, industrial automation, computer graphics and animation, computer networks and embedded systems. The second-cycle degree training ends with the preparation and discussion of written thesis.

Knowledge and understanding

The assessment of the learning progress checks the acquisition of a deep knowledge on the methodological-operational aspects of computer engineering allowing to identify, formulate and solve typical problems of modern information systems. Given the fast development of knowledge in this field it is essential to exploit the lecturers’ specific research skills as well as to adopt books at graduate and post-graduate level, usually in English and chosen among the latest to appear.
The assessments of the learning progress are aimed at proving the effective understanding of the acquired knowledge and ability to solve problems that are relevant to it as well as designing skills. Particular attention is attached to the assessment of the achievement of cross-field skills required by the interdisciplinary character of this subject.

Applying knowledge and understanding

The graduates must be able to apply the expertise described above in designing innovative applications and information systems. They must be able to support and promote arguments on technical-scientific topics related to computer engineering and be able to set problems in more general frameworks, highlight their most innovative and/or problematic aspects, highlight the most popular solution available in the relative literature, deepen, even by themselves, these topics relying on technical-scientific publications in the field. They are able to translate qualitative issues into a quantitative and anyhow formalised format, to transform requests made by non-specialised customers into project specifications. On the other hand, they are able to translate formalised technical considerations into a language that is accessible even to non-specialists. The above-described skills are developed and assessed through appropriate training strategies that underline the interdisciplinary nature of teaching and that train at formalising problems in the due way. To this end and within the characterising courses, guided exercises and specific case studies are envisaged including also external contributions and interviews. Active participation, positive attitudes, ability of independent thinking and communication of the results of the work done, team work skills, communication and speech delivery skills are highly valued and controlled.

Making judgements

The students must be able to interpret and deeply work out the professional questions they are asked to deal with grasping their most relevant technical aspects as well as their implications as it regard professional code of conduct and their socio-economic impact. The graduates in Computer Engineering utilise all the available sources to collect data relevant to the questions being discussed and objectively assess their reliability. In addition, they are able to process the collected data to draw information that is useful to build the best possible definite, solid and independent opinion. Assessment is carried out during individual exams as well as during the graduation final exam.

Communication skills

The graduate in Computer Engineering has to be able to structure the results of his work in a form that is effective in communication terms. This objective implies the acquisition of technical-scientific writing and oral speech skills using also modern presentation technologies. The course, in addition, enhances the ability to formulate technical-scientific contents, even complex ones, in forms that are suited to popularising purposes and pays particular attention to company and social communication. These skills are acquired and checked during the teaching courses through appropriate interaction techniques, mainly during the exams (oral, written, reports etc.).
In addition, the final exam represents a further occasion of interaction and assessment. Actually, it entails a discussion of a report produced by the student in front of a commission. In this case, not only contents, but also the candidate’s reporting, communication and speech skills are assessed.

Learning skills

The graduate in Computer Engineering must be able to continuously renew and adapt his own knowledge in function of the constant evolution of technologies as well as in function of the various applicative requirements. Therefore, he has to possess particularly eclectic learning skills both as it regards constant deepening and updating in his own discipline as well as it regards the quick acquisition of basic expertise in disciplines not strictly pertaining to the engineering sector. The assessment of learning skills is carried out during the study courses as well as in the graduation final exam in which the student has to prove his autonomy and originality in collecting data, in searching for bibliographical references, in modelling and validating hypotheses.

To be admitted to the second-cycle degree in Computer Engineering the student has to possess the study titles envisaged by the laws in force. It can be required a preliminary assessment of the curriculum even in case of non-completion of first-cycle curriculum. In this case, enrolment is possible only upon awarding of the required titles. If the control of the applicant’s previous training experience shows the need of further training and integration of one’s own skills, applicants will be requested to acquire the specific educational credits before being admitted to the second-cycle degree course.
In order to be admitted to the second-cycle degree course the students have to possess a good command of at least one EU language, apart from Italian. The Faculty reserves the right to modify and/or adequate this level in accordance with the decisions taken by the University, based on the evolution of the courses themselves and of the educational offer more in general. Any modifications, as well as the details appearing on certificates deemed eligible, will be communicated and illustrated in the didactic regulations, in the University website and in the website of the Faculty and by personal e-mail messages.
For specific details on admission and assessment criteria see the didactic regulations in force.

The course attaches the highest importance to the final exam consisting in a discussion of an original, theoretical or experimental, thesis, linked to the working period spent in the University or in a company characterised by a constant, lengthy and significant relation with a professor of the University and, if applicable, also with external experts.

Employment and professional prospects for the graduates (Decrees on Classes, Art. 3, paragraph 7)

Among the professional activities of the computer engineer envisaged by the training path there are: design and realisation of company information systems, automation of services in public and private boards by means of web-based technologies, development of multimedia and hypermedia systems, modelling and control of production processes and of complex systems, development of computer systems based on HW/SW joint design techniques, robotics, development of systems based on artificial intelligence, design of web-based architectures and computer systems. Beside all this, computer engineering professional profiles appear to be on high demand among companies in several statistical reports. The course allows to obtain a qualification for the following professional profiles, based on the rules currently in force: